Volume of exports up 9 percent

24/07/2007 15:00

After adjustment for working days, the volume of exports of goods was 9 percent up in May 2007 on May 2006. The volume of imports was up 7 percent. The growth of exports was slightly higher than the average in the first months of 2007. The growth of imports was about the same as the first months of the year. Export prices were 1 percent higher than in May 2006. Import prices were 2 percent higher than one year previously.

The value of goods exports was 28.4 billion euro. This is 8 percent higher than one year previously. The value of goods imports increased by 7 percent to 25.8 billion euro. This resulted in a trade surplus of 2.6 billion euro, slightly more than in May 2006.

Trade with countries outside the European Union contributed a little more to the increase of imports and exports than trade with EU countries. The increase of exports to EU countries was 7 percent en to non-EU countries 8 percent. The growth rate of imports from these trade partners was 6 and 7 percent respectively.

The figures on May 2007 published in this update have been adjusted from those published on 17 July. The revision is based on new and more detailed information.